Where Iowa Senate District 25 candidate stands on education, tax cuts

In Iowa's State Senate District 25, an incumbent and a newcomer are vying for a seat in the Legislature.

Sen. Herman Quirmbach is currently serving his sixth term in the Iowa Senate. His opponent this midterm season is Republican Paul Wacker. Wacker did not return the Register's questionnaire.

To help voters, the Des Moines Register sent questions to all federal and Des Moines area legislative candidates running for political office this year. Their answers have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Election Day is Nov. 3.

Who is Herman C. Quirmbach?

• Age:76.

• Political party:Democratic Party.

• Town of residence:Ames.

• Occupation:State Senator - currently serving sixth term; Economics professor, Iowa State University (retired)

• Education:M.A., Ph.D., Economics, Princeton University; B.A. with honors, Government, Harvard University; Central High School, Brookfield, WI.

• Political experience:Current State Senator; Ranking Member and former Chair, Education Committee; Member, Ways & Means, Local Government, Judiciary, and Ag Committees; Former member, Ames City Council and Mayor Pro Tem.

What would be your top issue if elected?

Quirmbach (D):Education. Public K-12 school funding has not kept up with inflation over the last decade. We need to restore funding to make sure each child gets the attention he or she deserves from top-quality teachers. Kids need smaller classes and more emphasis on early grade reading. Schools also need more mental health resources. Public schools and community colleges need more and better job training programs. State university tuition needs to remain affordable.

What policies would you support to improve Iowa's education system?

 Quirmbach (D):See above.

How do you rate Iowa's 2026 property tax cut law? Are there changes or further actions Iowa should take on property taxes?

Quirmbach (D):A provision of the 2026 property tax bill would increase property taxes on most apartments by 13%. This provision needs to be repealed. It would likely raise rents for nearly 20,000 people in my district. Cities and counties also need more flexibility to meet changing needs and to maintain police, fire, and other basic services in these times of inflation.

What actions would you support to address Iowa's high cancer rates?

Quirmbach (D):Reestablish the Tobacco Commission. Raise cigarette taxes, which haven't been increased in 20 years, and institute taxes on vaping to deter youth from starting smoking and getting addicted to nicotine. Initiate a program to subsidize radon testing in existing homes. Require radon checks in rented houses and apartments. Grant property tax credits for radon remediation expenses. Clean up Iowa waterways to prevent nitrate pollution. Regulate pesticides. Limit tanning beds for teenagers. Promote regular medical checkups for relevant cancers. Fund research on cancer prevention.

When do you believe it is appropriate to use eminent domain, and should it be used to build carbon capture pipelines?

Quirmbach (D):"No" on using eminent domain for carbon capture pipelines and other private, for-profit uses. For-profit companies should use the marketplace to get land access by negotiating mutually acceptable prices from willing landowners. They should not be able to use government coercion for such private projects. Eminent domain should only be used for public projects like roads or other services that benefit the whole community.

How do you rate Iowa's handling of the state budget? What would be your approach to budgeting if elected?

Quirmbach (D):Iowa's string of billion-dollar budget deficits is a disaster. Reserve funds are being drained at a dangerous rate. Wishful, something-for-nothing thinking must end. It is time for grownups to be put back in charge who understand that state government has to find ways to provide the basic services the public needs at affordable cost and to find fairer ways to share the burdens.

Norah Judson is a reporter for the Register. Reach her at njudson@gannett.com .

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Where Iowa Senate District 25 candidate stands on education, tax cuts